Welcome to Sewing Tips

Tape Measure

It is important to have an accurate tape measure. Tape measures stretch out of shape and become distorted with wear. Lay your tape measure on a ruler to check for accuracy. Replace it as needed. Avoid rolling up your tape measure, this will stretch and twist it out of shape.

Basting Tape

Basting tape is thin double-sided tape used to temporarily hold fabric, zippers, and trims in place until they are permanently stitched in place. Basting tape allows you to re-position until you get everything in the right place. It holds more smoothly and consistently than pins. Basting tape is very useful in matching stripes and plaids.

Needle Threader

Keep a package of needle threaders handy. Even if you are good at threading needles, there is always that difficult or thicker thread that is impossible to get through the eye of the needle. A needle threader can also be used to pull snags through to the wrong side of the fabric.

Soap

Soap slivers work well for marking fabric. Only use plain soap that does not have added oils and moisturizers. The small bars of soap found in hotels work great. After you have used the soap until it is thin with sharp edges, let it dry out and use it for fabric marking. You can sharpen the edges with a razor blade or a nail file.

Tailor's Chalk

Tailor's chalk is a wax based marker. It comes in several colors, however, only white should be used in garment marking; the other colors are used for pattern and muslin marking. The wax markings will last longer than chalk and can be removed from some fabrics, with a warm iron. Be sure to test on a fabric scrap first.

Water-Erasable Pen

There are water-erasable marking pens. The ink in these pens is water soluble. Test on a scrap of fabric to make sure the ink does not stain and that water marks do not show. Remove the marks before ironing.

Flexible Ruler

A see-through plastic ruler with eighth inch grid markings is a must for the serious sewer. These rulers allow you to lay the ruler over the edge and see what you are marking. The grid marks help to keep things aligned straight while marking.

Replace Needles

Hand sewing needles need to be sharp for sewing ease and smooth hand stitching. Not only are dull needles difficult to work with, they cause thread to fray and material to snag. Check hand sewing needles for burrs and replace them often.

Rotary Cutter

A rotary cutter looks like a pizza cutter. The round blade is razor sharp and can cut through many layers of fabric quickly and accurately. Rotary cutters come in several different sized blades. You must have a special cutting mat underneath the fabric when cutting. Rotary cutters work best on straight edges when used in conjunction with a ruler as a cutting guide.

Bodkin

A bodkin is a small tool that looks like a miniature set of tongs that lock into place. This is an indispensable gadget for threading elastic, cording, or ribbon through a casing.

Fabric Glue

Fabric glue is a time saving method to replace pinning and basting. A regular glue stick can also be used for this purpose. Fabric glue can be used as a permanent “stitching” method of leather, vinyl, felt, and some trims.

Third Hand

A third hand, also referred to as a bird and clamp, is handy tool when you need that extra hand to hold something. This device is a spring-closed clip, attached to a table by a screw-fixed clamp. The clip anchors the fabric you are working with. The presser foot on your machine can also be used as a “third hand” to hold the fabric stable.

Seam Gauge

A seam gauge is a six inch ruler with a sliding marker to keep track of the exact measurement you are using. This small gauge is a quick and accurate measuring device. Most seam gauges are made out of a thin metal so they are easy to bend out of shape.
For accuracy, replace when it gets bent or the sliding marker gets loose.

Thimble Pads

Small leather and plastic pads with adhesive backs are available for finger protection when hand sewing. These thimble pads work well for people that do not feel that they have enough control while wearing a thimble. You need to be consistent in how you push the needle during hand sewing to get proper placement of the pad.

Weights

Pattern weights can make cutting faster than pinning. Be careful when using weights; they are not as stable as pins. Weights can be purchased; however, household items can be used as weights. Cans of food make great weights. Small bottles or containers can be filled with rice or stones to make inexpensive weights.

Point Turner

Point turners are usually made of plastic or bamboo. A point turner is a tool that is used to push out corners and points without making holes in the fabric. It is much better and safer to use a point turner, rather than a seam ripper or the tip of a scissors, for this task.

Magnetic Pin Cushion

Magnetic pin cushions are a wonderful accessory. This pin cushion makes picking up and putting pins down so much easier. You can just drop the pins on this large magnetic disc and they will stick. Just turn the pin cushion upside down and move over the table or floor to pick up your pins.

Hump Jumper

The hump jumper is a handy little tool that will save much frustration when sewing over thick seams. It works as a lever, keeping the presser foot level with the height of the seam. Start by using it in back of the foot to raise it to the height of the seam. Next, bring it to the front to hold the foot up so it doesn't fall off the edge of the seam.

Dressmaker's Chalk

Dressmaker chalk is a clay chalk that comes in many colors. White is the safest and easiest for removal. Be sure to test on a fabric scrap before using to make it doesn't stain.